Citi Study Reveals Progress and Opportunity for Professional Women

Citi-Commissioned Survey in Celebration of Women’s History Month
Indicates Over Half of Professional Women Feel Gender Gap is Closing,
Yet Work-Life Balance Remains a Major Concern; Millennials Are Focused
on Driving Career Progress

Citi is hosting over 200 events in 90 countries for clients,
communities and employees to celebrate the contributions of women this
month

March 24, 2015 03:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Now more than ever, women view progress in the workplace as having more
women in leadership roles, flexible work environments, and eliminating
of the gender wage gap, according to a new survey commissioned by Citi
in partnership with LinkedIn as part of the Citi Women initiative in
celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. The
survey gauged attitudes of professional women across LinkedIn at the
manager level or above from Colombia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, the
United Kingdom and United States.

Indicators of Progress in the Workplace

Women across all markets consider themselves to be successful (64%
overall across markets). Women in Mexico (79%), Colombia (77%) and the
U.S. (68%) led respondents in feeling they had achieved their goals and
consider themselves to be successful, while approximately half of women
in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Singapore felt this way. Across all
markets, the majority (60%) of women are optimistic that the gender gap
is closing.

When considering what indicators signify progress for women in the
workplace – respondents noted the number of women in leadership roles
(36%), flexible work environments (24%) and elimination of the gender
wage gap (22%). Respondents in Latin American countries value flexible
work environments more so than other countries (31%), while Asian
countries are more likely to want to see women in leadership roles (47%
in Hong Kong, 41% in Singapore).

Women over 45 are more likely to consider their jobs as a career (61%)
compared to younger women (38%). However, when it comes to career
progress, advancement and rising to a leadership position, Millennials
exhibit the greatest desire to do so. The vast majority of Millennials
(93%) indicate they are looking to progress in their careers, 85% are
always looking for career advancement opportunities and 55% plan to rise
to a leadership position.

Balancing Work and Life

Most women cited managing career and family as a major concern (62%),
noting that their work-life balance could improve. Women under 45
express the most concern for their work-life balance, as they navigate
the workplace and personal lives. The desire for flexible work
environments was also highest among women under 45 (26%).

When it comes to the career aspect of “having it all”, climbing to the
top of the corporate ladder is not essential. Approximately 70% or more
of women in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom and United States
agreed that having a job they enjoy and where their work is valued is
enough – versus rising to the top of the corporate ladder. Having enough
money to enjoy life was extremely important to women (88% overall), and
most important to women in Hong Kong and Singapore.

For professional women who are the primary breadwinner in their
household, this responsibility gives them a sense of pride (41%). Among
the survey respondents, women in the United States and United Kingdom
are more likely to make more than their husbands or domestic partners.
Women who make more income than their spouses often make 50% or more,
which is driven by older women (55+) who likely have more established
careers. Being the primary breadwinner does little to impact gender
dynamics in the household, as the majority of women who are breadwinners
(67%) do not feel that their husbands or partners are threatened by
their role. However, roughly half of women who are the primary
breadwinner wish that their partners did more around the house,
particularly in Hong Kong and Mexico. Women in the United Kingdom were
least likely to feel their spouse plays a bigger role in their
children’s lives, which may be related to more prevalent part-time work
in this country.

About Citi Women

Citi Women is a corporate-wide diversity effort that seeks to unlock the
combined potential of women by building on existing recruiting efforts
and increasing female mobility and development.

Throughout March, Citi is celebrating the contributions of women to Citi
and the role they play in defining the company’s progress and future.
More than 200 events are taking place in 90 countries, including focus
on professional development, mentorship and sponsorship, work-life
balance, health and wellness, community outreach, gender equality,
innovation and technology, and the education of women and girls.

Survey Methodology:

The 2015 Today’s Professional Woman Report survey was conducted by
LinkedIn in January 2015 among a sample of 1,972 Professional Women
LinkedIn members at the manager level or above from Colombia, Hong Kong,
Mexico, Singapore, the United Kingdom and United States.

About Citi

Citigroup, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million
customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and
jurisdictions. Citigroup provides consumers, corporations, governments
and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services,
including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking,
securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.